Watery rescue

A local man and his wife were hospitalized with minor injuries Wednesday after their car became submerged in fast-moving water.

Around 4 p.m., John C. VanScoter, 83, of Fredonia, was operating his vehicle southbound on South Stockton-Cassadaga Road with his wife, Constance, 82, as a passenger when he disobeyed two traffic barricades on the road due to high water.

VanScoter continued past the signs and drove into about three feet of water flooding the roadway. The vehicle entered the deep water and began to be swept away by a fast current.

The VanScoters were rescued by members of the Chautauqua County Sheriff’s Office including the Water Emergency Team along with the Stockton Fire Department. Both were transported to Brooks Memorial Hospital by Stockton rescue with non-life threatening injuries.